The Portland daily press., 1887-12-30
C. C. C.
The Annual Festival in City Hall Yes
terday.

The annual festival of the Children's
Christmas Club took place at City Hall yes
terday at 1 o'clock. Like its predecessors it
was an immense success, and did not differ
materially from them. From an early hour
the corridors were thronged with the chill
dren's guests awaiting the opening of the
doors. Up stairs the club was busy arrang-
ing for its dinner.
The tables were thirty-fye in number. Be
side each plate was a mug, containing pa
per napkin. Each plate contained turkey,
ham and chicken, cut fine, and roll. Be-
sides this there were doughnuts, cakes and
pies, enough for each guest and to spare. In
the galleries were large number of ''work-
ers," mostly ladies, who have assisted the
members of the club in various ways. The
m embers of the club who did not take an ac-
tive part in serving the dinner were seated
around the hall.
In the Reception Hall Mrs. L. C. ellison,
and the carvers were busy, as well as Mrs.
Gison's large staff, all in readiness to sup
ply more food when the children had fin
ished the supply before them. Besides the
turkey, ham and chicken, they had tongue
and corned beef. Seventy huge platters full
were in readiness to fill up all gaps.
Promptly at O'Clock Professor Gilbert
appeared and directed the walters as to what
they should do. Then the first squad OF
twenty was admitted and waen they had
reached the dressing rooms, and removed
their wraps, the second squad came in, and
so on until all Of them, neatly dressed, were
ready fer dinner.
About p. m, Chambers orchestra struck
up march, the guess began to file in in
squads, each of which was large enough to
fill one table, Each squad was conducted
up and down the hall, between the tables to
the place where it was destined to halt
much the same as in former years. When
the guests had all heached their allotted
places President Will Ingraham stepped
forward and said
Friends, members and guests of the Chill
dren's Christmas Club, am much pleased
to have the honor of addressing you on this
occasion. This is you know the sixth an
nual festival of the Children's Christmas
Club and congratulate you and extend in
behalf of the club cordial welcome to ouI
guests. But this is not the time for me to
make speech and will not detain you any
longer, but will have the pleasure of intro
ducing to you our honored city father. May
or Chapman"
The Mayor was greeted with applause and
spoke briefly. He spoke pleasant words to
the guests and congratulated the club on the
success of its undertakings in the past and
wished them unbounded success in the flu
ture.
President Ingraham then introduced the
Rev. Mr.. Daniels, who, after some congratu-
tatory remarks, asked blessing.
After the dinner the tables and food were
cleared from the floor of the hall and the
children were seated. Then came the sing
ing of Christmas carols, under the direction
of Mrs. Merrill, an amusing recitation by
Professor Adams and some gymnastic per-
formances on the stage by Professor Doldt
and members of the Portland Turnverein,
of which too much cannot be SAID in praise.
The little folks expressed their appreciation
of everything by hearty applause. After
the entertainment Mr.. George A. Thomas
officiated as Santa Claus. The children
marched across the stage and each received
large stick Of candy, an apple and an or
ange. Beside these there was present for
each one. A large number of the girls got
dolls while for the boys there were harmoni-
cas-, jack-knives and other toys. As they
passed out the qualification of the recipients
was plainly manifest and the members of
the Christmas Club might have received
their reward by glance at the faces of their
guests 1t was a sight that will long be re-
membered.